System for mounting solar panels

ABSTRACT

A mounting system for mounting a solar panel assembly to a base assembly includes a panel support bracket, a base bracket and a clamp configured to exert a compressive force to hold the panel support bracket and the base bracket together. The clamp comprises a V-shaped clamp body that includes a pair of legs that are spring-loaded to oppose an approximation of the legs by an external compressive force. The clamp includes a pair of receiver slots, with each of the pair of receiver slots located on a corresponding one of the pair of legs. The pair of receiver slots collectively provides a clearance to admit the panel support bracket and the base bracket when the legs are compressed together.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/757,386, filed Apr. 18, 2020, which is a national stage filing under35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application Serial No.PCT/US2019/055260, filed Oct. 8, 2019, which claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. application Ser. No. 62/742,713,filed Oct. 8, 2018 the disclosures of each of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The most common approach to mechanically attach and electrically bondsolar panels (e.g., solar photovoltaic (PV) panels) on a mountingstructure is by the use of conventional fasteners involving bolts, nuts,washers or rivets. The use of conventional fasteners has severalproblems. First, panel dimensions and the position of mounting holes inpanel frames are not standardized across manufacturers. This lack ofstandardization forces vendors to custom-build mounting hardware foreach solar project to match the specifications of different panels. Thisextends manufacturing lead times and increases supply chain costs.Second, the use of bolted connections increases the complexity and timerequired for panel installation, along with the risk of installer error.For example, mounting holes at the bottom of PV panel frames must bemanually aligned with mating holes in the supporting structure (e.g.mounting rails), then bolts have to be threaded, washers inserted, andnuts temporarily placed. These steps are taken four times for each PVpanel, typically in conditions that are not ergonomic or comfortable forthe installers. In each instance, these parts and tools may be missing,lost, stolen, or fall over the panels, potentially causing damage to thesolar cells. Finally, nuts and bolts must be tightened at specifictorque values, which in practice is very difficult to achieve.Over-torqueing is a common cause for the failure of bolts under highwind loads, whereas under-torqueing may lead to loose bolts and nuts,due to vibrations and other environmental conditions. This addsmaintenance costs by requiring constant checking and re-tightening oflarge numbers of bolts and nuts on site.

PV mounting solutions that rely on conventional bolted connections arecommon in all major solar markets, including residential and commercialbuilding rooftops, solar carports and canopies, as well as utility scaleground mount applications, both in fixed tilt and trackers. Currently,only a few fasteners provide mechanical attachment of PV panels withintegrated bonding without relying on bolted connections and tools arecommercially available.

A first type of fastener relies on the use of a lever and a wedge, whichtogether embrace the flange of the PV panel frame and the flange of asupporting member. The wedge may have barbs or indentations thatelectrically bond the PV panel frame with the supporting member (e.g.US20120201601A1). A second type of fastener relies on a combination ofslots and spring-loaded barbed tabs to attach the flanges of PV panelframes and supporting members (e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,590,223 B2;8,745,935 B2; DE102012208480B3; U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,211,774 B2; 10,240,820B2).

Although generally effective, the existing commercial solutions presentseveral deficiencies. The designs tend to be complicated to install, byrequiring installation without complete visibility, or pre-attachment offastener into the frame of PV panels, thus frustrating efforts toprovide an easily repeatable installation. Moreover, most of thesesolutions only permit the attachment of PV panels in the so-calledlandscape configuration, where two rails or beams are placed underneaththe panel, providing a maximum of four connection points. This conditionhinders the possibility of making use of more connection points toprovide a more uniform load distribution against uplift and lateralforces caused by strong wind gusts. It is to these and otherdeficiencies in the prior art that the present mounting system isdirected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 presents a top perspective view of a solar panel assembly mountedto a support base.

FIG. 2 presents a bottom perspective view of the solar panel assemblyand support base of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 presents a close-up interior perspective view of the solar panelframe connected to the support base rail.

FIG. 4 presents a top view of the base bracket.

FIG. 5 presents a front perspective view of the clamp.

FIG. 6 presents a rear perspective view of the clamp.

FIG. 7 presents a front view of the clamp in a relaxed state.

FIG. 8 presents a front view of the clamp in a compressed state.

FIG. 9A presents a perspective view of the clamp approaching the panelrail and the base rail.

FIG. 9B presents a rear cross-sectional view of the clamp approachingthe panel support bracket and the base bracket.

FIG. 9C presents side cross-sectional view of the clamp approaching thepanel support bracket and the base bracket.

FIG. 10A presents a perspective view of the clamp partially engaged withthe panel rail and the base rail.

FIG. 10B presents a rear cross-sectional view of the clamp partiallyengaged with the panel support bracket and the base bracket.

FIG. 10C presents side cross-sectional view of the clamp partiallyengaged with the panel support bracket and the base bracket.

FIG. 11A presents a perspective view of the clamp fully engaged with thepanel rail and the base rail.

FIG. 11B presents a rear cross-sectional view of the clamp fully engagedwith the panel support bracket and the base bracket.

FIG. 11C presents side cross-sectional view of the clamp fully engagedwith the panel support bracket and the base bracket.

FIG. 12A presents a lower perspective view of the clamp with an optionalcable hanger.

FIG. 12B presents a rear perspective view of the clamp with the optionalcable hanger.

FIG. 12C presents a lower perspective view of the clamp supporting anelectrical cable while locking the solar panel assembly to the baseassembly.

WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to devices used in solar panelinstallation, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to asystem for expediting the attachment of a solar panel on support member,including but not limited to tubes, open section rails, beams, plates,etc. In one aspect, the exemplary embodiments include a mounting systemfor mounting a solar panel assembly to a base assembly. The mountingsystem has a panel support bracket, a base bracket and a clampconfigured to exert a compressive force to hold the panel supportbracket and the base bracket together. The base bracket includes a pairof clamp slots and a pair of alignment stops.

The clamp comprises a V-shaped clamp body that includes a pair of legsthat are spring-loaded to oppose an approximation of the legs by anexternal compressive force. The clamp includes a pair of receiver slots,with each of the pair of receiver slots located on a corresponding oneof the pair of legs. The pair of receiver slots collectively provides aclearance to admit the panel support bracket and the base bracket whenthe legs are compressed together.

The clamp also includes a pair of locking tabs, with each of the pair oflocking tabs located on a corresponding one of the pair of legs. Each ofthe pair of locking tabs is configured to be captured within acorresponding one of the pair of clamp slots to lock the clamp in afully engaged position on the panel support bracket and the basebracket.

In another aspect, the exemplary embodiments are directed at a clamp forconnecting a solar panel assembly to a base assembly. The solar panelassembly has a panel frame that includes a panel support bracket and thebase assembly has a base bracket. In this embodiment, the clamp has aplurality of legs that are spring-loaded to oppose an approximation ofthe legs by an external compressive force. The clamp also includes apair of receiver slots, with each of the pair of receiver slots locatedon a corresponding one of the plurality of legs. The receiver slotsprovide a clearance to admit the panel support bracket and the basebracket within pair of receiver slots when the legs are compressedtogether. The spring force of the clamp applies a compressive forcebetween the panel support bracket and the base bracket when the externalcompressive force is removed from the plurality of legs.

In yet another aspect, the exemplary embodiments are directed at amethod of connecting a solar panel assembly to a base assembly with aspring-based clamp that has a V-shaped body with a pair of legs thateach includes a receiver slot. In this embodiment, the method beginswith the step of positioning a panel frame of the solar panel assemblyon the base assembly. The method continues with the step of aligning apanel support bracket from the panel frame with a base bracket from thebase assembly. Next, the method includes the step of applying anexternal compressive force to the legs of the clamp to increase aclearance created by the receiver slots in the legs. The methodcontinues with the step of advancing the clamp such that the panelsupport bracket and the base bracket are accepted within the receiverslots while the clamp is in a compressed state. The method concludeswith the step of releasing the external compressive force to allow theclamp to apply a compressive spring force through the receiver slots tothe panel support bracket and the base bracket.

Beginning with FIGS. 1 and 2 , shown therein are top and bottomperspective views of a solar panel assembly 100 mounted to a baseassembly 102 with a plurality of clamps 104. The solar panel assembly100 includes a photovoltaic (PV) panel 106 attached to a panel frame108. The panel frame 108 includes one or more panel rails 110 thatextend along at least one side of the PV panel 106. In the embodimentdepicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the panel frame 108 includes a pair of panelrails 110 that extend along the length of the PV panel 106. Although asingle PV panel 106 is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 , it will beappreciated that multiple PV panels 106 can be supported by a singlepanel frame 108, or portions of a single panel frame 108. The panelframe 108 is suitable for supporting a wide variety of PV panels 106.

The base assembly 102 includes one or more base supports 112 (two areshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ) that each support a corresponding one of thepanel rails 110. The base assembly 102 can be supported by, or attachedto, a fixed structure (such as a roof, canopy or ground mountedstructure) or to an articulating carrier that adjusts the angularposition of the solar panel assembly 100 to optimize the collection oflight. For example, the base assembly 102 can be connected to a singleaxis tracker (SAT) that automatically or programmatically orients thesolar panel assembly 100 with respect to a light source.

Turning to FIG. 3 , shown therein is an interior perspective view of aportion of the solar panel assembly 100 and base assembly 102. The panelframe 108 includes a panel vertical wall 114 and a panel support bracket116. The base support 112 includes a base vertical wall 118 and a basebracket 120. During installation, the panel frame 108 is positioned withrespect to the base assembly 102 such that the panel support bracket 116is aligned with the base bracket 120. As noted in FIG. 3 , the clamp 104captures and secures the panel support bracket 116 to the base bracket120. In many embodiments, the clamps 104, panel rails 110 and basesupports 112 are each constructed from an electrically conductive metal.

As illustrated in the top view of the base bracket 120 in FIG. 4 , thebase bracket 120 includes alignment stops 122 and clamp slots 124 thatengage with the clamp 104. The alignment stops 122 extend downward fromthe base bracket 120. In some embodiments, the alignment stops 122 arecreated during manufacture by punching and folding the portion of thebase bracket 120 removed to create the clamp slots 124. In otherembodiments, a custom punch and die can be used to produce the alignmentstops 122 and clamp slots 124 on existing base assemblies 102.Additional views of the alignment stops are presented in FIGS. 9B-9C,FIGS. 10B-10C and FIGS. 11B-11C.

Turning to FIGS. 5 and 6 , shown therein are front and rear perspectiveviews of the clamp 104. In exemplary embodiments, the clamp 104 is madefrom a stamped spring-grade steel sheet metal with anti-corrosionproperties (e.g., stainless or galvanized). The clamp 104 may beconstructed of materials including, but not limited to, metals such assteel, stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium, and metal alloys,ceramic composites, composite reinforced metals, plastics and the like.In one embodiment, the clamp 104 is constructed from a conductive metalto provide a grounding path.

The clamp 104 includes a clamp body 126 that is substantially“V-shaped,” with two or more legs 128 extending away in an oblique anglefrom a common apex 130. The thickness of the clamp body 126 and thematerial of construction permit the legs 128 to be approximated orcompressed toward one another, as illustrated in FIG. 8 . When thecompressive force is removed, the spring energy stored within the clamp104 forces the legs 128 to separate into a relaxed state. In someembodiments, the angle between the two legs 128 is between about 55 andabout 75 degrees when the clamp 104 is in a relaxed state. In someembodiments, the legs 128 form an angle from the apex 130 of about 60degrees when the clamp 104 is in a relaxed state.

Each leg 128 has a receiver slot 132 that extends from the front of theleg 128 to an interior portion of the leg 128. As best illustrated inFIG. 7 , the receiver slots 132 are arranged in a substantially normal,or orthogonal, relationship with respect to the legs 128 such that thereceiver slots 132 are angled downward in an oblique manner when theclamp 104 is in a relaxed state. Due to the angular disposition of thelegs 128 and the orientation of the receiver slots 132 within the legs128, the receiver slots 132 together provide a first clearance (C₁) thatrepresents the height of the linear gap that extends through the tworeceiver slots 132. When the legs 128 of the clamp 104 are approximatedunder an external compressive force (as illustrated in FIG. 8 ), theangular disposition of the legs 128 and the receiver slots 132 isreduced to provide a second clearance (C₂) that is greater than thefirst clearance C₁. In some embodiments, the second clearance (C₂) isgreater than the combined thickness of the panel support bracket 116 andthe base bracket 120, while the first clearance (C₁) is less than thecombined thickness (height) of the panel support bracket 116 and thebase bracket 120. In these embodiments, the clamp 104 cannot beintroduced over the panel support bracket 116 and base bracket 120 untilthe combined clearance from the receiver slots 132 is increased bycompressing the legs 128 together. When the compressive force is removedfrom the legs 128, the legs 128 are urged to separate by the springforce of the clamp 104 and the clearance provided by the receiver slots132 decreases. Because the combined thickness of the panel supportbracket 116 and the base bracket 120 is greater than the clearanceprovided by the receiver slots 132 when the clamp 104 is in a relaxedstate, the introduction of the panel support bracket 116 and the basebracket 120 within the receiver slots 132 prevents the clamp 104 fromreturning to a relaxed state. In this way, the spring force of the clamp104 exerts an outward force on the legs 128, which is transferredthrough the receiver slots 132 as a compressive force that holds thepanel support bracket 116 and base bracket 120 together.

In some embodiments, each of the receiver slots 132 includes a pluralityof teeth 134. The serrated edges of the receiver slots 132 areconfigured to scratch the surface of the both the panel support bracket116 and base bracket 120 to increase the frictional resistance betweenthe clamp 104 and the panel support bracket 116 and base bracket 120.The teeth 134 also increase the electrical conductivity between theclamp 104 and the panel support bracket 116 and base bracket 120 byremoving any non-conductive coatings applied to the panel supportbracket 116 and base bracket 120.

Each leg 128 of the clamp 104 terminates in a foot 136. As bestillustrated in FIG. 7 , the foot 136 is angularly offset from the leg128 such that the foot 136 extends in a substantially vertical directionwhen the clamp 104 is in a relaxed state. The vertical position of thefoot 136 facilitates the use of pliers or other tools for compressingthe legs 128 of the clamp 104. In some embodiments, each foot 136includes a slot or hole (not depicted) that is configured to receive acorresponding post or tab on a custom-made tool to facilitate theengagement of the compression tool with the foot 136 of each leg 128.

The clamp 104 also includes a pair of locking tabs 138 that extendoutward from the legs 128. The locking tabs 138 have a thickness that isless than the width of the clamp slots 124 in the base bracket 120.During installation, the locking tabs 138 are initially retained betweenthe alignment stops 122 to capture the clamp 104 in a compressed state.Once the clamp 104 advances further onto the panel support bracket 116and base bracket 120, the locking tabs 138 clear the alignment stops 122and the legs 128 are allowed to partially open such that and the lockingtabs 138 are forced upward within the clamp slots 124. In thisfully-engaged position, the locking tabs 138 are captured within theclamp slots 124 to prevent the retraction of the clamp 104 from thepanel support bracket 116 and base bracket 120.

FIGS. 9-11 demonstrate an exemplary method of installing the clamp 104onto the panel support bracket 116 and base bracket 120. Beginning withFIGS. 9A-9C, the clamp 104 is laterally aligned with a series ofalignment stops 122 on the base bracket 120. Once the panel supportbracket 116 and base bracket 120 have been aligned, the legs 128 of theclamp 104 are compressed together with an external compressive forcegenerated by pliers, a custom tool, or the installer's fingers.

Once the legs 128 have been compressed to an extent at which the lockingtabs 138 will fit between the alignment stops 122, the clamp 104 ispushed forward such that the panel support bracket 116 and base bracket120 fit within the increased clearance (C₂) of the receiver slots 132,as indicated in FIGS. 10A-10C. The progress of the clamp 104 can bepaused with the clamp in a partially engaged position while the lockingtabs 138 are positioned between the alignment stops 122. The alignmentstops 122 oppose the outward spring force exerted by the clamp 104 andthe compressive force applied to the feet 136 can be reduced orwithdrawn. In this partially engaged position, the installer can verifythat the clamp 104 is properly aligned with respect to the panel supportbracket 116 and base bracket 120.

Next, the clamp 104 is advanced onto the panel support bracket 116 andbase bracket 120, as illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11C. Once the locking tabs138 clear the alignment stops 122, the legs 128 are permitted topartially expand outward and the locking tabs 138 are captured withinthe clamp slots 124 of the base bracket 120. In this fully engagedposition, the clamp 104 exerts a compressive force onto the panelsupport bracket 116 and base bracket 120 through the serrated receiverslots 132. The alignment stops 122 and clamp slots 124 cooperate toprevent the locking tabs 138 and clamp 104 from being retracted from thepanel support bracket 116 and base bracket 120. To unlock and remove theclamp 104, the legs 128 must be compressed together so that the lockingtabs 138 can clear the alignment stops 122 as the clamp 104 iswithdrawn.

Turning to FIGS. 12A-12C, shown therein are various depictions of anembodiment in which the clamp 104 includes a cable hanger 140. The cablehanger 140 is configured as a wire loop that is retained in hangerapertures 142 in each leg 128 of the clamp 104. The cable hanger 140 iscapable of supporting and organizing electrical cables that are routedbeneath the PV panel 106. In exemplary embodiments, the cable hanger 140can be removed from the hanger apertures 142 by squeezing the cablehanger 140 and removing the ends of the wire loop from the hangerapertures 142.

Thus, the clamp 104, the panel support bracket 116 and the base bracket120 collectively provide a “mounting system” that facilitates theattachment of the solar panel assembly 100 to the base assembly 102. Themounting system provides several advantages over the prevailing use ofbolt fasteners: (1) a single clamp replaces several parts needed for abolted connection; (2) no torque specification is necessary; (3) it isnot necessary to align prefabricated bolt holes on the panel supportbracket 116 and base bracket 120; (4) training and quality controlrequirements are greatly reduced; (5) maintenance costs aresubstantially reduced because nut tightening and re-torqueing of loosebolts is eliminated; and (6) the clamp 104 can be pre-attached andshipped with the base bracket 120, providing logistic and ergonomicbenefits absent in other systems. Further, in most embodiments, theclamp 104 can be installed without the use of tools.

Importantly, although terms of reference such as “horizontal” have beenused in this disclosure, it will be understood that the mounting systemis equally well suited for securing the solar panel assembly 100 to thebase assembly 102 in non-horizontal applications. For example, the clamp104 can be used to secure the PV panel 106 to a vertically-oriented baseassembly 102. Although depictions of the “panel support bracket” and“base bracket” are depicted in horizontal orientation, it will beappreciated that the panel support bracket 116 and base bracket 120 canbe used in non-horizontal configurations. It will also be understoodthat the clamp 104 and other components of the mounting system can beused to connect and assemble structural members used in applicationsother than supporting solar panels. For example, the clamp 104 may beuseful in connecting structural members within the chassis of appliancesor to assist with the assembly of metal buildings.

It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited inapplication to the details of methods and apparatus as set forth in thefollowing description. The present disclosure is capable of otherembodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Assuch, the language used herein is intended to be given the broadestpossible scope and meaning; and the embodiments are meant to beexemplary, not exhaustive. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting unless otherwiseindicated as so. Moreover, in the following detailed description,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a morethorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparentto a person having ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, features which are well known to persons of ordinaryskill in the art have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarycomplication of the description.

Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used inconnection with the present disclosure shall have the meanings that arecommonly understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. Further,unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall includepluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.

All patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publicationsmentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill ofthose skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Allpatents, published patent applications, and non-patent publicationsreferenced in any portion of this application are herein expresslyincorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as ifeach individual patent or publication was specifically and individuallyindicated to be incorporated by reference.

As utilized in accordance with the methods and apparatus of the presentdisclosure, the following terms, unless otherwise indicated, shall beunderstood to have the following meanings:

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term“comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” butit is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,”and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims isused to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer toalternatives only or when the alternatives are mutually exclusive,although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to onlyalternatives and “and/or.” The use of the term “at least one” will beunderstood to include one as well as any quantity more than one,including but not limited to, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 30,40, 50, 100, or any integer inclusive therein. The term “at least one”may extend up to 100 or 1000 or more, depending on the term to which itis attached; in addition, the quantities of 100/1000 are not to beconsidered limiting, as higher limits may also produce satisfactoryresults. In addition, the use of the term “at least one of X, Y and Z”will be understood to include X alone, Y alone, and Z alone, as well asany combination of X, Y and Z.

As used herein, all numerical values or ranges (e.g., in units of lengthsuch as micrometers or millimeters) include fractions of the values andintegers within such ranges and fractions of the integers within suchranges unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, toillustrate, reference to a numerical range, such as 1-10 includes 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, as well as 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, etc., andso forth. Reference to a range of 1-50 therefore includes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, etc., up to andincluding 50, as well as 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, etc., 2.1, 2.2, 2.3,2.4, 2.5, etc., and so forth. Reference to a series of ranges includesranges which combine the values of the boundaries of different rangeswithin the series. Thus, to illustrate reference to a series of ranges,for example, of 1-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, 50-60, 60-75, 75-100,100-150, 150-200, 200-250, 250-300, 300-400, 400-500, 500-750,750-1,000,includes ranges of 1-20, 10-50, 50-100, 100-500, and500-1,000, for example. For example, a reference to a range of 1 mm to20 mm in thickness is intended to explicitly include all units ofmeasurement in the range.

As used herein, the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, suchas “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, suchas “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as“includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing,such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do notexclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

The term “or combinations thereof” as used herein refers to allpermutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term.For example, “A, B, C, or combinations thereof” is intended to includeat least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is importantin a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB.Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations thatcontain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AAB, BBC,AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan willunderstand that typically there is no limit on the number of items orterms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

Throughout this application, the terms “about” or “approximately” areused to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error.Further, in this detailed description, each numerical value (e.g.,thickness, length, temperature or time) should be read once as modifiedby the term “about” (unless already expressly so modified), and thenread again as not so modified unless otherwise indicated in context. Asnoted above, any range listed or described herein is intended toinclude, implicitly or explicitly, any number within the range,particularly all integers, including the end points, and is to beconsidered as having been so stated. For example, “a range from 1 to 10”is to be read as indicating each possible number, particularly integers,along the continuum between about 1 and about 10. Thus, even if specificdata points within the range, or even no data points within the range,are explicitly identified or specifically referred to, it is to beunderstood that any data points within the range are to be considered tohave been specified, and that the inventors possessed knowledge of theentire range and the points within the range. Unless otherwise stated,the term “about” or “approximately”, where used herein when referring toa measurable value such as an amount, length, thickness, a temporalduration, and the like, is meant to encompass, for example, variationsof ±20% or ±10%, or ±5%, or ±1%, or ±0.1% from the specified value, assuch variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods and asunderstood by persons having ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, the term “substantially” means that the subsequentlydescribed parameter, event, or circumstance completely occurs or thatthe subsequently described parameter, event, or circumstance occurs to agreat extent or degree. For example, the term “substantially” means thatthe subsequently described parameter, event, or circumstance occurs atleast 80% of the time, or at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%,or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, of the time, or meansthat the dimension or measurement is within at least 90%, or at least91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%,or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, ofthe referenced dimension or measurement (e.g., length or thickness).

As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment.

It should be understood at the outset that, although an illustrativeimplementation of one or more embodiments are provided below, thedisclosed systems and/or methods may be implemented using any number oftechniques, whether currently known or in existence. The disclosureshould in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations,drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplarydesigns and implementations illustrated and described herein, but may bemodified within the scope of the appended claims along with their fullscope of equivalents.

1.-15. (canceled)
 16. A clamp for connecting a structure to a bracket,the clamp comprising: at least two legs configured to move between afirst compressed configuration with the at least two legs compressedtowards one another and a second engaged configuration; one or morelocking tabs, each of the one or more locking tabs formed in arespective one of the at least two legs, the one or more locking tabsconfigured to engage with a plurality of clamp slots formed in thebracket; and a plurality of receiver slots, each of the plurality ofreceiver slots formed in a respective one of the at least two legs,wherein the plurality of receiver slots are configured to receive aportion of the structure and a portion of the bracket therein, andwherein the clamp is configured to approximate the structure and thebracket when the at least two legs are moved towards the second engagedconfiguration.
 17. The clamp of claim 16, wherein at least one of theone or more locking tabs are formed in a first leg of the at least twolegs, and wherein at least another of the one or more locking tabs areformed in a second leg of the at least two legs.
 18. The clamp of claim16, wherein engagement of the one or more locking tabs with theplurality of clamp slots prevents lateral movement of the clamp along anaxis extending from a first leg of the at least two legs to a second legof the at least two legs.
 19. The clamp of claim 16, wherein engagementof the one or more locking tabs with the plurality of clamp slotsprevents lateral movement of the clamp along an axis arranged betweenthe at least two legs.
 20. The clamp of claim 16, wherein a linear gapextends through the plurality of receiver slots for receiving theportion of the structure and the portion of the bracket, wherein thelinear gap has a first clearance within the plurality of receiver slotsin the first compressed configuration and a second clearance within theplurality of receiver slots in the second engaged configuration, whereinthe first clearance in the first compressed configuration is greaterthan the second clearance in the second engaged configuration.
 21. Theclamp of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of alignment stopsformed in the bracket, wherein the one or more locking tabs areconfigured to be captured between the plurality of alignment stops whenthe clamp is in a partially engaged configuration.
 22. The clamp ofclaim 16, wherein each of the plurality of receiver slots comprises aplurality of teeth.
 23. The clamp of claim 16, further comprising acable hanger supported by a plurality of hanger apertures, each of theplurality of hanger apertures formed in a respective one of the at leasttwo legs.
 24. The clamp of claim 23, wherein the cable hanger isconfigured to support a cable.
 25. The clamp of claim 16, wherein thebracket is part of a base assembly, and wherein the structure is part ofa solar panel assembly.
 26. The clamp of claim 16, wherein the clampcomprises a V-shaped clamp body.
 27. The clamp of claim 16, wherein eachreceiver slot of the plurality of receiver slots includes two edges thatare integrally formed in and extend into the respective one of the atleast two legs.
 28. A method of connecting a structure to a bracket witha clamp, the method comprising: applying an external force to at leasttwo legs of the clamp to compress the at least two legs towards oneanother, each of the at least two legs comprising at least one receiverslot formed in a respective one of the at least two legs; receiving aportion of the structure and a portion of the bracket in the at leastone receiver slot; engaging one or more locking tabs formed in arespective one of the at least two legs with a plurality of clamp slotsformed in the bracket; and removing the external force applied to the atleast two legs to approximate the portion of the structure and theportion of the bracket.
 29. The method of claim 28, further comprisingpreventing lateral movement of the clamp along an axis extending from afirst leg of the at least two legs to a second leg of the at least twolegs by engagement of the one or more locking tabs with the plurality ofclamp slots.
 30. The method of claim 28, further comprising preventinglateral movement of the clamp along an axis arranged between the atleast two legs by engagement of the one or more locking tabs with theplurality of clamp slots.
 31. The method of claim 28, wherein at leastone of the one or more locking tabs are formed in a first leg of the atleast two legs, and wherein at least another of the one or more lockingtabs are formed in a second leg of the at least two legs.
 32. The methodof claim 28, wherein a linear gap extends through the at least onereceiver slot for receiving the portion of the structure and the portionof the bracket, wherein the linear gap has a first clearance within theat least one receiver slot in a first compressed configuration and asecond clearance within the at least one receiver slot in a secondengaged configuration, wherein the first clearance in the firstcompressed configuration is greater than the second clearance in thesecond engaged configuration.
 33. The method of claim 28, furthercomprising capturing the one or more locking tabs with a plurality ofalignment stops formed in the bracket when the clamp is in a partiallyengaged configuration.
 34. The method of claim 28, further comprisingscratching a surface of the structure and a surface of the bracket witha plurality of teeth of the at least one receiver slot.
 35. The methodof claim 28, further comprising supporting a cable with the bracket. 36.The method of claim 28, wherein the bracket is part of a base assembly,and wherein the structure is part of a solar panel assembly.
 37. Amounting system for mounting a solar panel assembly to a base assembly,the mounting system comprising: a panel support structure of the solarpanel assembly; a bracket of the base assembly; and a clamp configuredto approximate the panel support structure and the bracket, the clampcomprising: at least two legs configured to move between a firstcompressed configuration with the at least two legs compressed towardsone another and a second engaged configuration; one or more lockingtabs, each of the one or more locking tabs formed in a respective one ofthe at least two legs, the locking tabs configured to engage with aplurality of clamp slots formed in the bracket; and a plurality ofreceiver slots, each of the plurality of receiver slots formed in arespective one of the at least two legs, wherein the plurality ofreceiver slots are configured to receive a portion of the structure anda portion of the bracket therein, and wherein the clamp is configured toapproximate the structure and the bracket when the at least two legs aremoved towards the second engaged configuration.
 38. The mounting systemof claim 37, wherein at least one of the one or more locking tabs areformed in a first leg of the at least two legs, and wherein at leastanother of the one or more locking tabs are formed in a second leg ofthe at least two legs.
 39. The mounting system of claim 37, whereinengagement of the one or more locking tabs with the plurality of clampslots prevents lateral movement of the clamp.
 40. The mounting system ofclaim 37, wherein a linear gap extends through the plurality of receiverslots for receiving the portion of the panel support structure and theportion of the bracket, wherein the linear gap has a first clearancewithin the plurality of receiver slots in the first compressedconfiguration and a second clearance within the plurality of receiverslots in the second engaged configuration, wherein the first clearancein the first compressed configuration is greater than the secondclearance in the second engaged configuration.
 41. The mounting systemof claim 37, wherein each of the plurality of receiver slots comprises aplurality of teeth, and wherein the plurality of teeth are configured toscratch the panel support structure and the bracket.
 42. The mountingsystem of claim 37, wherein each receiver slot of the plurality ofreceiver slots includes two edges that are integrally formed in andextend into the respective one of the at least two legs.